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Pratt-Smoot Act passes
The Pratt-Smoot Act passes to establish a national library program administered by the Library of Congress in which select libraries would "serve as local or regional centers for the circulation of books" to adults with vision loss.
Resource:
The Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.afb.org/about-afb/history/online-museums/afb-talking-book-exhibit/developing-partnerships/library-congress -
Standard English Braille is adopted
The first uniform Braille code for the English speaking world is adopted.
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/ -
The talking book is developed
A sample of some of the first titles chosen:
the Declaration of Independence
the Constitution of the United States
Washington’s Farewell Address
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
Shakespeare’s As You Like It, The Merchant of Venice, and Hamlet
Kipling’s Brushwood Boy
Wodehouse’s Very Good Jeeves
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/ -
First edition of Talking Book Topics published
The publication listing the recently added books to the collection, Talking Books Bulletin, later changed to Talking Book Topics, is first published.
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/ -
Services expanded to include children
The word "adult" was deleted from the legislation making services now available to all ages, adults and children.
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/ -
National music library services are authorized
Congress authorizes a music library and will include braille and large-print musical scores, recorded instructional materials, and recorded materials about music and musicians.
Reference:
Music Materials - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/braille-audio-reading-materials/music-materials/ -
Services expanded to those with low-vision or a physical disability
Public Law 89-522 is passed which provides talking-book services to all persons who could not read standard print because of visual or physical disability.
Reference:
Laws and Regulations - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/laws-regulations/ -
New Jersey State Library, Library for the Blind and Handicapped established
The New Jersey State Library, Library for the Blind and Handicapped is established, becoming the network library in New Jersey. The name will later change to The New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center.
Reference:
Talking Book & Braille Center. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.njstatelib.org/talking-book-braille-center/ -
First four-track cassette book circulated to libraries
The first cassette title recorded at 15/16 ips on four tracks, Roots by Alex Haley, was sent to regional libraries for circulation. It required five cassettes.
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/ -
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is renamed
The Division for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is renamed. It is now officially the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, or NLS.
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/ -
Foreign Languages are added to the NLS collection
A foreign-language specialist is added to the NLS staff, expanding services to include works in a foreign language.
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/ -
The Chaffee Amendment signed into law
The amendment allows authorized entities to reproduce or distribute copies or phonorecords of previously published literary or musical works in accessible formats exclusively for use by print-disabled persons.
Reference:
The Chafee Amendment: 17 U.S.C. 121 - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/laws-regulations/copyright-law-amendment-1996-pl-104-197/ -
Distribution begins of digital talking book players
In partnership with military hospitals and rehabilitation centers, NLS begins distributing digital talking book players to service members who can no longer read or hold printed material.
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/ -
BARD Mobile is released for iOS devices
The Braille and Audio Reading Download, BARD, service which allows registered patrons to download audio and Braille books and magazines from an online catalog, releases a mobile app for iOS devices.
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/ -
BARD Mobile is released for Android
BARD mobile app is released for Android devices.
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/ -
The United States became the 50th member to be party to the Marrakesh Treaty
The United States becomes the fiftieth member to be party to The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled.
Reference:
Marrakesh Treaty - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/laws-regulations/marrakesh-treaty/ -
NLS officially becomes the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled
The full name of NLS changed to the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. The new name removed outdated language and worked to communicate more clearly who NLS serves.
Reference:
History - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS): Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/about/organization/history/
